Flying a Fallen Hero

I recently experienced one of the greatest—and most heart-rending—honors a modern airline pilot can have: Captaining a flight that is transporting a fallen soldier to his final resting place. Escorting the hero was a military honor guard consisting of two of the soldier’s comrades, and two young Marines. Also onboard were the man’s father and a lovely, devastated young woman—girlfriend? Wife? Sister? I never found out. I never learned the soldier’s name, either. Or his rank. Or how or where he died.

But it didn’t matter. Because, like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, he was ours. He was us.

Coming on the heels, as it was, of the Aurora movie theatre tragedy, this flight was particularly poignant for all passengers and crew as well.

As soon as our preflight duties were finished, I ordered the gate agents to allow the party onboard. They were escorted down to the ramp, where they presided over a short ceremony as the casket was loaded into the forward cargo hold. Simple, precise and crisp, the military detail saluted the casket then made a sharp about face to march away, reminding me of the Missing Man Formation often flown by jet fighters.

For six hours as we crossed the country, I contemplated my speech. As Captain of the flight, I was expected to say a few words upon arrival. At Top of Descent, I took a deep breath and keyed the PA:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. I’d like you to pay special attention to this announcement. (pause) Today we have the great, great honor of escorting one of our fallen soldiers to his final resting place.

“Also on board, you may have noticed, is a military honor guard as well as family and loved ones of the deceased. I would like to personally request that, upon arriving at the gate, out of respect for our fallen hero, you remain seated as the party deplanes to meet their loved one planeside.”

And for his loved ones, I saved the best for last.

“And to those of you worried about connections, I would like to say that we are arriving thirty minutes early. That is because Air Traffic Control, aware of our status as an escort flight, cleared us ‘Direct to Destination’, in honor of our precious cargo. (deep breath, trying desperately not to choke up) Ladies and Gentlemen, in my 30-plus years of flying, I have never witnessed such a gesture.”

It was true. Despite pushing back from a major hub airport during rush hour, Ground Control cleared us straight to the runway, Tower immediately cleared us for takeoff, and Center direct to his final resting place.

It was my leg. I am proud to say that, in honor of the fallen, I was able to make one of my smoothest-ever “greaser” landings, and rolled quietly down and off the runway to the gate. The entire cabin was quiet and still as the solemn party proceeded off the plane. I emerged from the cockpit just in time for the father, with tears in his eyes, whisper to me,

“Thank you.”

“It was an honor,” I replied. “Take care, sir.”

The party had another brief ceremony planeside as the coffin was loaded onto a specially-painted black tug and cart and driven off-airport. Needless to say, the mood among the crew was somber and reflective. That was, until a small girl, no more than 4, marched up to the cockpit and loudly proclaimed, “Hi, pilots! My name’s Gwennie! But really my name’s Gwendolyn!” Our hearts melted, putty in her charming little hands.

And then it hit me. That little girl. So full of joy. Of innocence. Of life. That’s why our hero had sacrificed his.

And it was not in vain.

“To fly West, my friend, is a flight we must all take for a final check.”
—Author Unknown

I did not have the honor of serving my country, but I would like to personally thank the military veterans in my family: Richard my Dad (Navy Petty Officer on a Destroyer during WWII), brother Allen (Vietnam M-60-toting infantry grunt) and nephew Daniel (Gulf War I Marine.)

Dedicated to the memory of Sr. Airman Dustin Howard Owens, lost to us March 19, 2014 while serving his country in Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Owen is survived by his wife Brianna and children AmyLynn, Mavvrick, EllyMae and expected daughter TessieAnn.

Comments

Eric, this story brought tears to my eyes. I’m grateful for the brave men and women who selflessly put themselves in harms way on our behalf, but even more grateful for their families, who pay a dear price when their loved ones don’t come home. Thank you for sharing such a special experience – it reminds us all there is still good in this world.

Thank you, Rob! It is one of my proudest stories.
It’s and excerpt from Volume I of my new ebook, “There I Wuz!—Adventures from 3 Decades in the Sky,” out in June.
Glad you enjoyed it, sir!
And I truly am grateful for you and all other military personnel who have given so much to serve our country!

That’s a really impressive and very heart touching story Cap’n’Aux.
I can’t imagine to press the PA and inform the passengers in a way you did.
I do really pay honour not only to the fallen soldier but even to you!
Great story by the great captain.

Thank you, Libor at http://airsmolik.com, and thank you for the information. All I see is what happens inside the plane. Glad to know the Fallen is honored across the entire airport. It’s only fitting.

A well-written account of a somber moment. I used to fly out of the Joint Forces Base at Los Alamitos, and every now and then we’d see a plane come in with the remains of a fallen soldier. They’d bring everything to a halt across the airfield while the incoming airplane landed and the ceremony took place on the ramp. I’m glad these honor guards, procedures, and announcements are part of the process, because it reminds the public of the continuing cost of war.

Ron,
It looks like my original reply to your comment failed to post.
Thank you for sharing your story about the airfield. I hardly see the activity outside the cockpit, so it’s good to know that is happening. It should happen at all airports to honor the fallen!
Thank you so much for your comment.

Eric, this is a tear jerker for sure. And something I will read again on Memorial day… in honor of. I think when we fly our heroes home, there is something that it changes in you. Tears then and now. A great post!

Thank you, Karlene! You’re right, it changes you. Suddenly, whatever challenges I may had been facing in my career were washed away–suddenly I was PROUD to be doing my part for something that truly mattered!

In the BIF spirit, feel free to share the link for your memorial day post. This whole concept of honoring our fallen can’t get enough exposure!